ISTANBUL

Kenya’s Robert Kipkemboi and Ethiopia’s Sechale Dalasa raced to victory in the 44th edition of the Istanbul Marathon on Sunday.

Kipkemboi took first position among the men, finishing the 42.2-kilometer (26.2-mile) intercontinental run in 2 hours, 10 minutes, and 18 seconds.

Kenyan-born Bahraini Marius Kimutai was just 9 seconds behind in second place, while Sila Kiptoo from Ethiopia came third with a time of 2:11:42.

On the women’s side, Dalasa led an Ethiopian podium sweep with a 2:25:54 run.

Melesech Tsegaye clinched second position with a time of 2:29:01, followed by Ethlemahu Sintayehu on 2:31:38.

The top three runners in both the men’s and women’s race bagged $20,000, $10,000, and $6,000, respectively.

Nearly 30,000 athletes, including 56 elite runners, took part in the marathon, which started from Istanbul’s Asian side and ended in the Turkish metropolis’ European part.

The participants crossed between the two continents via the July 15 Martyrs Bridge with a spectacular view of the Istanbul Strait.

The race route also traversed several of Istanbul’s famed historical sites, including the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia.